Students & Teaching

"I came to Dr. Farouk as an advanced pianist with many questions about how I was physically playing the piano, and how to overcome specifically difficulties. I had seen Dr. Farouk’s performances on the internet and his playing caught my attention. I heard Dr. Farouk play with the sound, emotions and sincerity of the great pianist of the past, whom I wished to emulate. In our first lessons I was amazed at how grand his sound was when demonstrating on the same piano I was using. As we progressed in our lessons, he was successfully able to diagnose specific issues with my fingers arms and body. He also increased my conception of practice techniques. Over time, these suggestions began to take hold and operate simultaneously in my playing.

Most important to my development was learning about how Dr. Farouk became such a great pianist himself, and the self discipline a human needs to display to achieve the massive repertoire that he has already performed in public. This discipline in life has allowed Dr. Farouk to be a master demonstrator in the lessons. Just watching and listening to his demonstrations has often been the true guide in my practice. Seeing first hand how easily he can create the most difficult music on the piano had the most positive impact on my practice. The positive results of studying with Dr. Farouk’s for two years were noticed by all of my colleagues who knew my playing previously. I can only agree with the many people who have told me that my piano playing is the best they have ever heard from me. I no longer feel any physical and psychological problems with the most difficult piano repertoire, for which I am extremely grateful.

Simply put; what could be better then a piano teacher who has thorough knowledge of the standard repertoire and beyond, and who has the capability to demonstrate all of it on the spot? His playing reflects who he is as a person; caring and dedicated to his art and his students. His actions in this regard have been a guide to me beyond the realm of music, and that fact is necessary for any teacher to be considered great at teaching music."

"Studying with Professor Farouk over the past year has been an incredibly valuable experience. Dr.Farouk taught me how to approach music with sincerity and to think structurally when interpreting a piece. His technical guidance also helped me tackle difficult passages with confidence. I’m truly grateful for the growth I’ve experienced under Dr.Farouk’s mentorship."

Chopin Etude Op. 10 No. 2

"Studying with Dr. Farouk for three years was truly transformative. He is not only a world-class pianist, but also a knowledgeable teacher, a supportive mentor, and above all, a remarkable human being.
His mentorship helped me discover and trust my musical voice, to believe in the value of what I do, and to perform with authenticity, purpose, and integrity.
Dr. Farouk's unwavering support and dedication went far beyond the piano studio. His encouragement gave me the confidence to face challenges, both musical and personal, with courage and clarity. No words can truly express what his guidance has meant to me, and I carry everything he taught me wherever I go.”

"Dr. Farouk is a highly responsible and wise educator. He is exceptionally skilled at identifying his students' potential and setting approachable goals to challenge them to achieve. In his lessons, he is very knowledgeable and combines technique building, music theory, music history, and music interpretation. Dr. Farouk’s The Complete Pianist technical exercise is an excellent tool for me to continue building my techniques in daily practice and is extremely helpful in learning new repertoires."

"In Dr. Farouk I've found all the qualities I always dreamt for a piano teacher to have: generosity, inspiring work ethic, genius mind and the ability to see his students for who they really are. Besides, I find him one of the best performers I have ever heard live and he is someone who, I think, deserves to leave a mark on the history of classical music performance and teaching. I learned incalculable knowledge from him but if I were to summarize it in one sentence, I would say, he has shown me that everything is possible to do in your instrument if you really want to; it is a matter of the will and humility before our craft.

"Dr. Farouk, who is a very outstanding pianist and educator. In the two years I have studied with him, my performance skills have improved a lot, and I have a deeper understanding of music. He will teach patiently and demonstrate in detail, so that I can quickly know how to do it. And in addition to music, he also cares about my daily life and mood, which has also had a lot of positive influence on me."

"Studying with you helped me understand not only how to play music, but also what a truly beautiful sound is. I still remember when you played Rachmaninov for us—your performance always left me deeply moved. The way you played was so natural, beautiful, and emotionally touching. It had a lasting impact on me. I also have great respect for your journey as a pianist. The dedication and passion you’ve shown throughout your life continue to inspire me. I’m truly grateful for everything I learned from you."

"Dr. Farouk is a supportive mentor and a warm scholar. I have gained deep insight into cultivating a heart full of curiosity across all aspects of art while developing performance skills. In my short time studying with Dr. Farouk, I have been encouraged to explore composers and pieces I was unfamiliar with before. I have also received much guidance in maturing techniques and refining musicality. Studying with Dr. Farouk is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I am very grateful for it. ”

"Dr. Farouk is a role model for me. He inspires me to become a better musician and a better person. I learned so much from him in every lesson. He cares deeply about my musical progress, my pianistic health, and my personal wellbeing. I am incredibly fortunate to study with him for two years at Manhattan School of Music and to attend his virtual piano academy."

Dr. Xu was named 2024 top teachers by Steinway. Hawai’i Chamber Music Festival - Young Artist Program Manager, Kahala Signature Artist

"Dr. Farouk has been my mentor since 2016, and I can say with complete certainty that I would not be the musician or person I am today without his guidance. He was the one who first opened the door for me into the world of true professional piano playing, and through his teaching, I discovered not only the artistry of music but also the discipline, depth, and passion it requires. Beyond his extraordinary musicianship, Dr. Farouk is a person of rare generosity and kindness. He has given me invaluable advice in life, offered me his support without ever asking for anything in return, and constantly reminded me of the importance of integrity and perseverance. His wisdom, patience, and unwavering belief in me have brightened some of my most challenging moments, giving me the strength to keep striving toward excellence. As a musician, he inspires me endlessly with his artistry, knowledge, and refinement. As a human being, he sets an example of humility, compassion, and dedication that I deeply admire. To me, Dr. Farouk is not only a mentor, but also a lifelong inspiration and a guiding light on my journey."

"Dr. Farouk is a fantastic professor who has had a deep influence on my musical development. His teaching of advanced piano techniques has been especially valuable when working through technically demanding repertoire. Beyond technique, he has guided me in understanding how to express the music in a way that aligns with the composer's intentions to deepen my interpretation of each work. He is also a kind and supportive teacher, always willing to help me grow both as a pianist and as a musician."

“Studying with Dr.Farouk has been a truly inspiring experience. He is an exceptionally sensitive pianist with a profound musicality. His vast repertoire and deep understanding of stylistic nuances from different musical periods have greatly influenced my own artistic growth.”

"Studying with Dr. Farouk was truly life-changing. I still remember that even after I had fulfilled the performance concerto requirement for my degree, he continued to send me suggestions for improvement. His dedication as a teacher and musician is extraordinary. He deeply values his students’ time, thoughtfully considers their futures, and offers consistent guidance and support. He genuinely cares about each student's personal and artistic growth. Whenever I struggled with a performance, he always provided the most effective solutions, and we explored every possible approach together.

Besides, he is a genius—his interpretations of many composers are among the finest I’ve ever heard. Words cannot fully express how grateful I am to have been his student. He was the one who opened my eyes to both my own potential and the endless possibilities of music."

Dr Lee is a Lecturer at the University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College.

”Dr. Farouk has been an exceptional mentor and an unwavering source of support throughout my musical journey. His deep passion for music and commitment to his students are truly inspiring. Under his guidance, I was given numerous performance opportunities that helped me grow not only as a musician but as a person. He played a key role in shaping my musical approach, refining my technique, and building a well-rounded repertoire.”

“ I'm very happy to have spent the piano class time in my college time with you. In your class, I felt that a large part I used to lost love for the piano and piano playing, the most essential love, was awakened again. I also learned a lot of delicate fingerings, techniques, and the overall control and balance of playing that I had never thought of before.

Besides the piano, you also cared a lot about my inner world and life, chatted with me, and comforted me when I felt anxious and depressed, which often made me feel very touched.”

"Dr. Farouk possesses an extensive repertoire and a wealth of knowledge, allowing him to approach any musical style with precision and profound understanding. In class, he never hesitates to demonstrate—he often compares different but related pieces through his live performance, making it easy for students to grasp key points. Attending his lessons sometimes feels like enjoying a fabulous concert. Besides, he is the author of “The Complete Pianist: Advanced Virtuoso Technical Exercises”, and he has countless ingenious solutions for any technical challenge a student might face. If you love diving deep into piano technique just like me, studying with Dr. Farouk would be a brilliant choice. Outside of teaching,

Dr. Farouk has a unique personal charm. He is humble but articulate, holds himself to high professional standards, and constantly sets new performance goals. Like a hero, his very presence inspires others, subtly encouraging deeper passion and dedication to music. I am truly honored to be his student."